We are thrilled to announce GAIST as our guests on this weeks episode of our Prima Lux series. The UK duo have a unique and powerful sound and it’s the same sound that has caught the attention of two huge names in the techno music scene, both Richie Hawtin and Pig&Dan have played their tracks on the exclusive and widely renowned BBC 1 Essential Mix, a feeling they described as humbling and incredible when they found out.
We caught up with the guys to discuss their sound, their ‘Trigger‘ EP and their recently announced EP coming soon on Pig&Dan’s ELEVATE label. We also talked about their Loopmasters sample pack that they have recently just released too.
Thanks for sitting down with us today guys, how are you?
We are great thanks. We have been very busy in the studio for the last few months putting the final touches to our E.P. for Pig & Dan’s ELEVATE label. And like any other DJ, we are really also looking forward to a crazy summer.
We last featured you here on WWD with your EP ‘Trigger’. How did that release go down with you and what was the general reaction from the fans?
When the lead track “Trigger” hit the #1 spot on the Techno Top 100 chart on TrackItDown we were over the moon, it was a bonus to see the B-Side “Division” also in the top 10 at the same time. It’s always a cool feeling seeing your music do well, especially when you have worked so hard on it – it makes all the hours locked away in the studio worth it.
How would you describe your sound as a duo?
Heavy hitting, that’s usually how our sound is described by others. We really like our tracks and sets to make a big statement. Our tracks have to contain big elements that make you take notice and say ‘yep – that’s GAIST’!
You recently gained the attention of techno legend Richie Hawtin who featured you on his BBC 1 Essential Mix. What was your initial reaction when you heard that? It must have been a surreal feeling?
It really was, It’s a humbling experience when someone you have viewed as an idol for many years plays your music, and on such a huge platform like BBC Radio 1……………..Crazy.
If that wasn’t enough, you also featured on Pig & Dan’s Essential mix too. How did that go down?
Again it was incredible, getting any support from legends such as Pig & Dan is epic, but to actually select our music for a peak time play on Radio 1’s Essential mix is unreal.
You’ve also got an EP signed to Elevate. Did that come about from Pig & Dan having featured you on their mix or what can you tell us?
We had wanted to release on Elevate for a long time, and so once we had created an E.P. that we thought would fit we got our management to approach them. As a duo we like to think that in many ways we are similar, we are always up for a laugh and have stacks of energy when it’s comes to DJing. Really looking forward to going b2b with the guys at some point!
Can we expect anything different on this EP than previous releases?
You can always expect something different from a new GAIST E.P. we are constantly looking to learn and improve. This particular E.P. features some really great analogue synths, which is slightly different to our more percussively led Trigger E.P. That said, it totally has the signature “Take No Prisoners” GAIST feel to it.
You have also just released a Loopmasters sample pack. Talk us through that?
It was ultimately rewarding, but easily the hardest and most challenging thing we have ever had to do as producers. Do you remember that feeling when you were at school in a class that was so dull? Well that was us for like two weeks straight!
The finished product is great but Jesus was it hard work, having to be creative to a deadline is really difficult.
What has the feedback been like in relation to the Loopmasters sample pack?
Really great, it’s cool to get messages from new producers showing us what they have created with it. It’s also kinda funny to speak with established producers who say things like “cheers for that sick bass line, I have used that”
What has been the one track / EP so far of 2016 that has got your attention?
Dubspeeka’s Unfriend E.P. from early May is incredible… A 4 track E.P. that really brings the textbook Drumcode goodness.
Music is changing so much nowadays and for a duo that have over 20 years in the business, what would you say has changed the most over the years in the techno scene and why?
Changes in technology and the world becoming better connected have to be the biggest changes to note. It’s all good though, music and the music scene both need to keep changing. It’s an evolutionary process. One that constantly never fails to both impress and excite us – that’s why we are in this industry.
Finally, 3 tracks that you’re currently listening to at the moment?
We literally haven’t had Pig & Dan’s “Modular Baptism” album off repeat in the studio for the last couple of weeks, so I guess we would have to say all of the tracks off that really. It’s a really diverse mix of tracks that work well. Give it a listen… After listening to our set of course.
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